Method for Treating Polyglutamine Expansion Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to use of an inducer of Promyelocytic Leukemia protein (PML) expression, and especially PML IV for the manufacture of a medicament intended for the treatment of polyglutamine expansion neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an interferon polypeptide for the manufacture of a medicament intended for the treatment of polyglutamine expansion neurodegenerative diseases.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . A method for treating a polyglutamine expansion neurodegenerative disease, which method comprises administering an inducer of PML (promyelocytic leukemia protein) expression to a patient in need thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inducer is an inducer of PML IV. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said inducer is an interferon. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interferon is interferon beta. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the interferon is interferon beta 1a. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interferon is interferon alpha. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polyglutamine expansion neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of spinocerebellar ataxia 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17, Huntington's disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, and dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy.